Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Job Descriptions Ignored When Hiring
What is the point of writing up job descriptions if you do not use them?. The city found it necessary to write up job descriptions for department heads when they were audited under the new system within the last year. The Clifton Gunderson auditing company evidently required that we utilize a system where job descriptions must be present.
I have the job description for both the Supt. of Public Works and the Zoning and Bldg. Inspector.
Without a doubt we are ignoring both the qualification aspect and also what they should be required to do because they are not doing it. Why would the city put themselves into such a position by ignoring rules they have established for very important jobs within this city. Many residents have become aware of the discrepancies and even city employees realize this situation and again we all know where "the buck stops". When government at any level is not functioning at its best level, it is up to those who head this city to take hold of the reins and do what is right for the city and not for those who while drawing a good salary are not doing what they should be doing. There is enough blame to cover all those involved in the top level of the city government and please start running the city as the business that it is.
Old Brewery Tunnels on Lower Pike Street
On Oct. 20, the N.T. did an article titled Sinkholes reveal old brewery tunnels. According to the story, "Two sinkholes on the lower end of Pike Street in Peru revealed an old stone arch tunnel that once was used by the Star Union brewery which closed in 1966."
According to records, The company brewed beer from 1893 until it was shut down in 1966.
I went down to get my first look at the sinkhole today after talking to a local couple about what they might possibly have been used for. Is this what a sewer system would have looked like circa 1893? It doesn't seem practical that Star Union Brewery that was a very small brewery at that time would have required something the size of those tunnels to transport sewage into the river. These tunnels were definitely meant to last a very long time. If the tunnels extended in all directions from the current sinkhole, why? Anyone heard stories through the years through families about these tunnels? Is it history that should be further explored?.
What is on top of the tunnels looks like tons of fill. Definitely fascinating to see and wonder about.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Halloween on Marquette Road Trick or Treat
On Halloween evening between 5 and 7 somewhere around three to four hundred treats per household were handed out to the little trick or treaters and even some not so little ones, I was told. There was so much traffic that ESDA and several Peru Police cars came out to attempt to manage the traffic. Keep in mind that this street is one of the busiest streets in Peru on a normal traffic day and now throw in all the extra cars because so many people decided that this was the place to be on Halloween.
Although this is not new and started years ago when families decided that better treats could be obtained in the newer additions of town. This year it seemed to have reached the exploding point. If it had been necessary to get an ambulance through, I am told it would be difficult. Cars parked along the sides of Marquette Rd. and children running back and forth and on the roadway and I hope that adult supervision was present.
The topic was presented to the Peru Police chief but he really did not have an answer.
Do you?
Just wondering about the helicopters
We were wondering about the medic helicopters that used to fly over our house almost daily and sometimes more than that. During the construction period at IVCH, I know they changed the way transfers were handled and ambulances brought the patient to the airport.
Is this a permanent change? There was an open house at IVCH on Sunday and I assume the new units are now open. Anyone know if helicopters will again be landing at the hospital or will it only be from the airport?
They are not landing at the hospital or we would be hearing them.
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
How Proud are you of our parks?
We hear periodically about things in our parks that need to be repaired, repainted or replaced. It is the people of Peru who see the problems and I would hope they mention them to their alderman who should go to the proper person. Is the Superintendent of Public Works Gary Bleck responsible for managing the department and the people who are responsible for maintaining our parks. If so from the looks of this bench, it appears he is not getting the job done.I know that Bleck and the Aldermen and the Mayor are aware of this particular bench because I was at the council mtg where the issue was brought to their attention and I believe that was in the summer. And as you can see nothing has been done. Is the city waiting for another lawsuit because a child insured himself on this broken piece of park equipment? I guess if Central States was going to be at that park, it might have been taken care of, do you think so?
I Thought the City was Responsible for Our Parks Was I Wrong?
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Does anyone know who a citizen should approach when they see things that are questionable, broken, or in a sad state of disrepair or just a simple question on something they witnessed? Some time ago I mentioned a broken bench in one of our parks that could be dangerous for little children to be around. Several months later that bench is in worse shape. Is it the cities responsibility, public works department, recreation commission, aldermen, park board, who? Some of our park equipment is in dire need of restoring and a fresh coat of paint. Who should be responsible for that? Just asking where to seek answers?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Streator Manufacturer Adding Jobs « AM1220 WLPO News
Streator Manufacturer Adding Jobs « AM1220 WLPO News
A bright spot in a dim economy, this is a substantial amount of jobs added.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - City has ways to use future sales tax dolllars
News Tribune - News - Local - City has ways to use future sales tax dolllars
Talking about Peru and the new committee formed by Mayor Harl which he called a super committee but now is labeled an infrastructure committee
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
To All Garage Sale People - Weekends Are OK
Just a short time back we had a discussion of garage sale signs that were being removed without notice and people were upset and understandably so as there was not a city announcement made, it just happened. Enforcement of this was given to the newly hired code officer because our building inspector did not have time.
Just last week while driving through the downtown area of Peru, I noticed a sign for a garage sale that was taped to a light post on 4th and while I usually don't pay any attention to garage sale signs because how else are people going to get the attention of those wanting to shop the sales, I thought this one was inappropriate and I know the area we consider "down town" Peru is raunchy looking at best, this just added to the mess.
Trying to clarify the signage issue last night, I asked that particular question about that particular sign and was told by the Mayor that we have no one to enforce this ordinance on weekends. The code officer is done for the year and the police will not enforce the ordinance because the Mayor said they are too busy doing other things.
So after the big eruption of a few weeks ago, I guess if you are planning a sale yet this year before spring, put your signs anywhere anytime because there will be no enforcement. Weekends are a for sure and most likely anytime because I doubt that our bldg inspector was going about town removing them during the week.
I guess we could now call this the WEEKEND ARE OK ORDINANCE.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Foreign Fire Fighter Fund - 2% Board
This is a rather complicated and dull read as all codes are but scan through it and some things will jump out at you. I am just learning about this funding to the fire department.
I think that the funding to the city has changed and it is money sent directly to the Liberty Fire Department which is only a fund raising not for profit even though they are not a part of the city technically.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Peru Halloween Parade
Today the Halloween parade was held in Peru but no Fire Truck in the parade. Doesn't this ask the question why? They were not at a fire call and evidently no one had volunteered time to travel in the parade. Along that line, did you get your request from Liberty Fire today. I did.
Friday, October 21, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru pool fundraising to kick up a notch after grant denied
News Tribune - News - Local - Peru pool fundraising to kick up a notch after grant denied
Anonymous said... Good morning Lois, just read in the News Trib that the Peru Pool Committee is going to apply for a 501(3)c, Non Profit Corporation. Please make this a heading, so the citizens can comment on this move. I for one, would like to see the money that has been raised put towards a splash pads in one of the parks for the kids by the start of next summer. No need to start a corporation to do that.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
La Salle Fire Chief says new ambulance service is making money « AM1220 WLPO News
La Salle Fire Chief says new ambulance service is making money « AM1220 WLPO News
Making money, perhaps they could consult with PVAS and offer suggestions.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Not All City Councils are the Same
Until last night, I only remember one other time when we went to a city council meeting that was not in Peru and that was in La Salle many years ago. So last night a friend and I decided to visit the La Salle city council meeting because I was told by another friend that the meetings in La Salle and the meetings in Peru were totally different.
She was right and it is probably because of people with different personalities holding the same jobs that we have in Peru but managing them in a totally different manner from the Mayor and the dept. heads down to their aldermen.
All the people present were welcomed by Mayor Grove and the meeting moved along without any glitches and all seemed knowledgable about their respective departments. We easily found answers to questions we had and I would like to thank those that we talked to for their graciousness in giving us the information that we wanted.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
News Tribune - News - Local - Focus on SV tourism could bring economic benefits
News Tribune - News - Local - Focus on SV tourism could bring economic benefits
This is the type of urban renewal that is going on in Spring Valley, La Salle and Princeton, will it affect business in Peru since we are a city of only Big Box Stores. Are we missing out because most of our Mom and Pop stores are gone?
Monday, October 10, 2011
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